frayser library

I have been chosen by the Urban Art Commission and the city of Memphis to design and execute a wall-bound sculptural mural for the entrance of the new Frayser Library.

While brainstorming for this project, I thought a lot about the function of a Library and how it has evolved over the years. One fact that has stayed the same is that a library is a central hub for education; I want visitors to the Frayser Library Branch to know that before walking through the front doors.

I then began to think about our first systems of reading and writing- hieroglyphs. Hieroglyphs are so visually interesting and tied so perfectly with the function of a library I knew I needed to explore this concept further.

I have designed a mosaic of icons (hieroglyphs) with a very colorful, contemporary aesthetic that is three-dimensional and educational. Each icon ranges in size from as small as 8 inches square to seven feet tall.

There are over 50 icons in this design, with various themes centered around the Frayser community and the state of Tennessee. There is literally something for everyone on this wall.

Some key elements to note are the two icons located at each end of the mosaic and the icon at the bottom, which represent the 3 rivers that surround Frayser: The Mississippi River, The Wolf River, and The Loosahatchie River.

Another icon, the sizeable purple icon on the right, is a map of Frayser, which helps contextualize the mosaic as a piece of art not only created for Frayser but by the Frayser community as well. Community members will easily find their street on the map, which will allow them to place themselves within the artwork.

It is also important to educate visitors about the library's practices. Along the top row, you will find icons representing subcategories of each section of the Dewey Decimal System. For example, the third icon from the left represents the metaphysics of time, whereas the tenth represents greek fiction.

Frayser Library's history and future are depicted with the two icons on the left. One shows the year the original library branch was built, and the other illustrates the date the new branch will open.

Throughout the mosaic's center area, you find several icons of plants and animals. These are actually the state plants and animals of Tennessee. These icons will be educational and exciting for younger visitors to the library. When prompted, they could "search and find" the TN State Butterfly or Flower, etc.

Visitors will also find icons that represent locations of note throughout Frayser. For example, Rodney Baber Park is located across James Road from the new library location and is depicted with baseball diamonds. Shelby Forest on the northern border of Frayser, the icon a thick forest of trees. Lastly, historical places like the Point Chapel Cemetery can be found in the mosaic.

Another topic represented on the wall mosaic are icons representing Frayser history. This includes historical figures like Dr. Frayser, the community's founder, historical businesses like International harvester, and historical events like the yellow fever outbreak of 1878.

I am sure many of you have noticed the books at the bottom of several icons. I have devised a numeral system that gives another clue about what each icon represents and allows for an "aha!" moment of discovery for the visitors. The numeral system also creates another opportunity for education and a creative, visual approach to math.

Possibly my favorite aspect of this project is the local high school design competition I will host. Students will design icons that depict what Frayser means to them. The top three designs will be included in the mosaic's final design, and chosen students will be awarded a cash prize as well as a three-dimensional copy of their design.

This is exciting for me for several reasons.

Firstly, I think it is essential to have the community involved early in the design process of public art pieces. It is a great way to generate pride and excitement for a project.

I am also excited about the competition because an art competition validated my skills as an artist for the first time when I was in high school. It gave me the confidence to apply to Memphis College of Art and has ultimately helped determine my career.

It is such a simple act to include and excite a future generation of artists and has an impact that I can attest to personally.

Frayser is my community, which adds another element of excitement for the competition and the project as a whole. I literally live 2 minutes away from the new library site and drive past it every day on my way to work.

Frayser has to offer a lot, and this project will definitely help showcase that. To further involve the community, I have set up a community vote form for members to choose from a list of selected icons they would like to see included in the final design.

Just to reiterate, my inspiration for this design was the melding of historical glyphs with iconography we are all used to seeing today. The similarities are astounding when one looks from the app icons on the iPhone to the layout of the Mayan glyphs, attesting to the brilliance of this form of communication.

I have taken this historical form of writing and given it a contemporary graphic and street art aesthetic.

Building sustainably should not be a goal but a necessity for all new construction, which is why I am so proud there will be a L.e.e.d. Certified building in Frayser.

I have decided to cut each icon using a CNC router, which is incredibly accurate and drastically reduces material waste. This sustainable process will not only save on material costs; labor costs will be vastly reduced as well.

Once assembled, the icons will be coated in a material called Aquaresin, a much more environmentally friendly and durable alternative to traditional fiberglass materials and techniques.

Lastly, each icon will be painted with long-lasting UV-protected latex paint. There is virtually no maintenance required.

This project is in its infancy as I am still finalizing designs for each icon. Check back in to see progress!

To see more of the projects I have completed around the city of Memphis, visit my portfolio page. Feel free to contact Nalley Studio if you have an idea for a project.

If you would like to vote for your favorite icon from a selection of sketches please click here.

if you would like to submit your artwork to the high school design competition please click here.